The Bosshole® Chronicles

Marcel Schwantes joins us to share the harrowing experience that inspired his new book "Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss." In a powerful testament to the physical impact of toxic workplaces, Marcel recounts how workplace stress caused his body to literally shut down—leaving him temporarily paralyzed and unable to walk for a month. This life-changing event bec...

What transforms a caring manager into someone their employees fear? According to executive coach Sabina Nawaz, it's not a personality defect—it's pressure. Drawing from her own jarring experience of returning from maternity leave to find herself snapping at her team, Nawaz reveals the hidden forces that push good people into problematic leadership behaviors. This eye-opening conversation...

Are your management practices stuck in the 1800s? They might be if you're still operating with conventional management approaches. In this eye-opening episode, Jason Lauritsen reveals why so many workplaces struggle with engagement, retention, and performance — our management methods were designed during the industrial revolution to make humans behave like machines. Jason introduces his groun...

Ever wondered about those colleagues who seem to change their approach depending on the situation? The ones who are harder to pin down, yet somehow able to work effectively with almost anyone? Our latest episode dives deep into the mysterious world of the Adapter Reference Profile. Click HERE for a short video about the Adapter. Click HERE to get your very own Reference Profile . Related TBC Episo...

Ever wonder why someone with a stellar resume struggles in their new role? Or why another employee with modest credentials becomes your top performer? The answer lies in understanding that people are more than their professional history. The Bosshole Chronicles takes you on a journey through the powerful "Head, Heart, and Briefcase" model—a framework that transforms how leaders view, sel...

Monica Challingsworth takes us behind the scenes of her entrepreneurial journey, revealing how conscious leadership principles transformed her hospitality career and led to the founding of multiple thriving businesses. With remarkable candor, she shares her path from college graduate to founder of Eustress and Demeter restaurant consulting and co-creator of Dink and Dine Pickle Park—an innovative...

Ever witnessed a manager publicly humiliate a colleague and felt that collective cringe spread through the room? The latest Bosshole® Chronicles episode tackles the destructive impact of sarcasm and public embarrassment in the workplace—common leadership behaviors that instantly qualify someone as a "Bosshole." HERE ARE MORE RESOURCES FROM REAL GOOD VENTURES: Never miss a good opportunit...

The modern mental health conversation has taken a concerning turn, according to clinical therapist Jonelle Massey. Rather than building resilience, we've defined wellbeing as the absence of discomfort and the avoidance of challenges—a definition that ultimately leaves us ill-equipped for life's inevitable difficulties.  Drawing from her experiences as a former D1 athlete and her work wit...

Freedom isn't free. This simple yet profound truth anchors our special Memorial Day episode as we explore the origins, evolution, and significance of this solemn American holiday that honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Did you know that approximately 43% of Americans, primarily younger generations, don't fully understand Memorial Day's origins? Beyond barbe...

Clarity isn't just a leadership buzzword—it's the difference between victory and defeat.  In this continuation of leadership lessons from Gettysburg, host John Broer unpacks how ambiguous communication can derail even the most talented teams. Drawing parallels between Robert E. Lee's fateful directive to General Richard Ewell in 1863 and modern workplace challenges, John reveals the...

Dr. Veronica Motley brings 35+ years of educational leadership wisdom to this powerful conversation about what truly makes leaders successful. Her journey from task-oriented manager to inspirational leader offers profound insights for anyone looking to elevate their leadership impact. HERE ARE MORE RESOURCES FROM REAL GOOD VENTURES: Never miss a good opportunity to learn from a bad boss... Click H...

Join me on a transformative journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where the historic battlefield becomes a powerful classroom for modern leadership lessons. Stepping away from our usual format, this special episode takes you inside the Marco's Leadership Institute, where military history and contemporary leadership science converge in fascinating ways. Click HERE to learn more about Diamond 6...

Discover the fascinating world of Controller managers in this deep dive into one of the most precision-focused reference profiles. Making up 3.99% of the population, Controllers bring exceptional value through their commitment to accuracy, structure, and results, making them essential players in organizational success. Click HERE for a short video about the Controller. Click HERE to get your very...

Reading employee emails? Surprise visits to "catch" them working? Our new episode breaks down why these surveillance tactics reveal more about your leadership gaps than employee performance. Listen for better alternatives. HERE ARE MORE RESOURCES FROM REAL GOOD VENTURES: Never miss a good opportunity to learn from a bad boss... Click HERE to get your very own Reference Profile .  We use...

Leadership requires courage, especially when facing difficult conversations. We've all witnessed leaders who eagerly claim credit for successes while mysteriously disappearing when tough news needs delivery. This avoidance creates a leadership vacuum that everyone notices but few dare mention - until now! Let's look at this trait that could reveal You Might Be a Bosshole®... HERE ARE MOR...

Dive into the world of the Captain Reference Profile with hosts Sara Best and Karen Schulman as they unpack what makes this profile tick as a manager and a direct report. Captains are natural-born leaders characterized by high dominance, high extraversion, low patience, and low formality with a corporate cutback—a combination that creates problem-solvers who excel at seeing the big picture while d...

Dive into the fascinating world of the Persuader manager with John Broer and Karen Shulman as they unpack this dynamic Predictive Index Reference Profile. Persuaders – those risk-taking, socially poised team builders – bring a unique energy to leadership roles that can transform organizational culture when properly understood and leveraged. Click HERE for a short video about the Persuader. Click H...

Disciplined, steady, productive, and dedicated – these four words perfectly capture the essence of the Artisan Reference Profile (formerly known as Craftsman). In this continuation of our PI Reference Profile series, we explore what makes Artisans tick and how to effectively work with or manage these technical specialists who represent approximately 6.5% of the human population. Click HERE for a s...

Colonel Greg Gadson's life changed forever when an IED explosion in Iraq claimed both his legs in 2007. What followed wasn't just a story of physical recovery but a profound spiritual transformation that led him to discover a new purpose through extreme adversity. "Finding Waypoints: A Warrior's Journey Towards Peace and Purpose," written by Emmy Award-winning producer Ter...

The future of work is rapidly approaching, and organizations that prepare now will thrive while others struggle to adapt. In this forward-looking conversation with Dr. Matt Poepsel, known as "the Godfather of Talent Optimization," we dive deep into seven critical workforce trends reshaping our professional landscape by 2030. Click HERE for a copy of the HR Field Guide to the Future   Oth...

This episode explores the critical role of feedback in management, highlighting that avoiding difficult conversations can lead managers into The Bosshole® Zone.  John and Karen discuss strategies for providing effective feedback, including establishing clear expectations, scripting difficult conversations, and the importance of regular communication of both praise and criticism. HERE ARE MORE RESO...

Can empathy and care in leadership truly transform the workplace? Join us as Sara, Karen, Hannah, and John unravel Gallup's most recent study of the American workplace and the steep decline in employee engagement in the U.S. And while the numbers may seem discouraging, the RGV team offers up some immediate and practical steps to reverse this trend. Click HERE to read the latest report from Ga...

Unlock the secrets of the Maverick mindset and transform your workplace dynamics with our fascinating exploration into the Maverick Reference Profile. Ever wondered what drives these innovative and independent thinkers to push boundaries and embrace challenges? Join us as we promise to unravel the core traits of the people who push the boundaries! Click HERE for a short video about the Maverick. C...

Unlock the secrets of sustainable leadership with Lorri Slesh, a contributing author to "The Sixth Level: Capitalize on the Power of Women's Psychology for Sustainable Leadership."   Discover how the often-overlooked psychological strengths of women can transform organizational dynamics. Lorri shares her expertise in fostering strategic growth and collaborative teams, challenging ou...

Could you be unwittingly venturing into Bosshole® territory without even knowing it? Tune in to our latest series, "You Might Be a Boss Hole If," where I team up with my good friend and business partner, Sara Best, to explore the subtle yet significant behaviors that may be affecting your team's engagement. HERE ARE MORE RESOURCES FROM REAL GOOD VENTURES: Never miss a good opportuni...